Just Popping In

I just wanted to say a quick "HI!" It's been a while...I know. Life has taken off and we're crazy busy, as is usual for this time of the year. Here are a few reasons why:

Logan is playing football- two practices and one or two games, each week.
Logan's scouts and church activities
Shane's scouts and church activities
My church activities
My book club
Shaun's Primerica stuff (or rather the lack of business the past few weeks as he struggles to keep going)
My work
Shaun's work
My master's degree program online (VERY DEMANDING of my time)
AJ- enough said- We love the little guy and he goes everywhere and does everything with us. I'm surprised that he doesn't demand even more of our time. We've been blessed with such a carefree baby.

There's more...I'm just too tired to remember it all. Oh, and one sick kid a week for the past three weeks does not help. Mainly they have been sick for a couple days on weekends, but it does spill over a bit and causes us to get behind on, OH, HOUSEWORK. Yep, I'm not sure what that word means at the moment. It's not getting done. It hasn't been a priority. The house is messy but not dirty and gets picked up whenever we have friends over for any reason (photo sessions, dinner, visiting, etc.). Well, at least the rooms to be seen by guests get picked up. The other rooms are invisable so they don't really matter.

Yep, that pretty much says it all. Busy! One day I will have time to blog about my daily joys and rants once again. Today I will leave you with this beautiful little tidbit:

AJ SINGS! He has for the past two months- since about 7 1/2 months old. He started to sing at church when the congregation sang. Then he would sing when he would hear the organ or piano start. Next he started singing in the car/truck with the radio. Now he'll sing just to sing, even without accompanyment. Oh, and whenever he is in a large and excited crowd (football games especially) he sings because he thinks that is what they are doing and he wants to join in. It is soooo cute! Everyone notices and smiles and laughs. The funniest thing is that he has recently decided he needs to be just as loud as the people around him, which can mean that he gets VERY loud. I LOVE it! It melts my heart every time I hear him. This brings so much joy to my heart! I just listen and give him lots of hugs and kisses. At times he gets so into it that I have to hush him quickly when everyone becomes quiet at the end of a song. :)

AJ's Development Over the Past Month

He's on a roll! He was already rolling around well. About three-four weeks ago AJ got his first tooth. I noticed it on a Sunday. That Tuesday he crawled. That Friday I noticed another tooth coming in. The next week he was crawling even better (of course). A week later he was growing in a third tooth. I can see more on their way. Now, over the past few days, he's sitting up from the crawling position, on his own. And he's pulling up on shorter items and anything he can get a good hold on. Which means NOTHING is safe. He's really on the go now and developing quite rapidly.

At this rate he'll be walking by nine months. Noooo! I'm excited for him, but not for us. The race is on with crawling. I'm not ready for walking and running. Nope. I want him to wait. And the thing is weren't not even encouraging it. He's just doing it all on his own. He's even tried several times to cruise furniture but luckily once he takes a step he falls. He's never too happy about that but he does try again, and again, and again. If we stand him at the coffee table he lets go with one hand and reaches for anything close by. He's tried to go from the coffee table to the couch but only gets half way- one hand on each- before loosing this balance. The little rascal is getting to coordinated and too smart!

I do love his smile though. He's always so happy. He rarely gets upset. He's become pretty attached to me recently and does not like when I leave the room, even if his dad or brothers are near. Also, when he's crawling around and getting into something new he makes a laughing "k-k" sound. It's so cute! Of course this means that if we can't see him we have to look right away. He finds all kinds of stuff, anywhere. OH, and shortly after he started to crawl we had to rearrange the living room. Yes, I rearrange each season but this was a totally new layout. We now have the sectional put together in a way that puts its corner in the walkway near the stairway, thereby blocking the walkway, stairs, and stair railing. I'm creative.

The short part of the stairway is blocked by the ottoman with pillows on it creating a sitting area in the corner, with the little electric fireplace and lamp in the corner. Logan has dubbed this area the "kids area" but I have to remind him that we can hear his music a foot away on the couch, too. Very funny. He uses the area to listen to music, draw, and read. It's just big enough for him to lay on the floor. Aj likes that spot, too, because it's the only place that the outlets are being used where he can see and reach them. Sigh.

We also added a gate between the kitchen and living room to ensure AJ can not get to the stairway through the kitchen. I'm not sure what we'll do when he starts to climb on the couch. At that point we'll have to move the couch away from the stairway and railing again so that he does not launch himself over the couch and down the stairs.

Here's a recent photo taken before we headed to the rodeo. He loves animals so the horses captivated him there.

Three Months Old and Traveling Again

AJ is now three months old! He's growing quickly and is more expressive everyday. Almost everytime we look at him he's sliming or soon will for us. It doesn't take much to see that beautiful baby smile. Now of course it's followed by coos and throwing his head back because he's excited. So cute! Whenever he sees or even hears us he gets all giddy. Ever since he first smiled he's been quick to smile, for any reason. We love making faces or talking to him just to see the smiles.

Of course, like any baby, he has his upsetting moments as well. He still gets gassy, still taking Mylecon with every feeding, and takes Gripe Water when it's really hurting him. Some nights are better than others. He hasn't been sleeping through the nights as well recently. He's been up with gas and has been a little fussy on and off over the past few nights. I'm really needing my sleep now that I'm working and taking classes at the same time. I get tired very easily. Luckily I'm always busy so I don't fall asleep. Once I hit the pillow at night I'm out fast. I hope this doesn't last too long!

AJ is also having a hard time with being bottle fed at daycare. I didn't realize it was still such an issue until this morning. When I dropped him off I found out he had taken two bottles yesterday morning without crying. I didn't know he'd been crying with every bottle! Poor baby. I'd much rather breastfeed him all the time but that's not possible. So, instead I'm pumping three times a day and freezing it. I'm currently making more than he's eating by bottle so we have a drawer full of milk in the freezer at home. I know at some point I'll not be making enough for him so I am storing it up while I can. We do bottle feed AJ in the car during trips and sometimes when we're out so I knew that he didn't particularly like bottles but I'm sad to hear that he's still having such a hard time with them at daycare. I purposely gave him bottles at times over the two months before he started daycare to try to get him used to them. I guess that didn't work. This next week, while I'm off work and school for Spring Break, I plan to try a couple other bottle nipples to see if we can find something he likes better. These nipples also seem to fast for him so I'll be looking for something slower.

About next week...when I agreed to come back to work earlier than my planned 12 weeks I asked for Spring Break off. This will give me a full week with all three boys. I've been looking forward to this. I don't know when I will get vacation time again since I've used all of mine for maternity leave so I plan to enjoy every moment. We are planning to visit my grandparents in the Dallas, Texas area. My grandmother met AJ when he was about ten days old but my grandpa wasn't able to visit us then. While in Dallas we're planning to find some fun, but inexpensive, activities to do. One each day. The rest of the time will probably be spent hanging out at my grandparents house and doing anything they want to do. Of course we plan to include them in any and all of our activities as well. This will be the first time we've been to Texas in several years and just had time to have fun. The past couple times, which were of course fun as well, we've had other plans, such as Thanksgiving dinners and wedding dress shopping for my youngest sister.

I'll be posting some pictures of the boys and AJ's three month photo shoot at home tonight, either later this evening or in a few days. You'll love them!

Special Days

Over the last week...

Shane got his first zit (a HUGE excitement for him)
AJ is now 6 weeks old
Logan turned 8 years old
Logan was baptized and confirmed a member of our church
Heather, Jeff, and their 6 week old, Garrette, visited
AJ got his baby blessing (now named in the church records as our son)
I got nothing done (hmmmm, nothing new there)

Oh, but I did have a book club meeting at my house and we did cookbooks and had lots of yummy food. That and cleaning half the house should count for something.

Here are the pictures to go along with the events:

One Month Old

AJ is now 5 weeks plus two days old. He was one month old last Saturday. I can't believe he's already that old! On one hand it seems like he has been part of our family forever but on the other hand it seems like he was just born. This past five weeks have flown by! Here are AJ's statistics as of today's doctor appointment:

Height/length: 21.5 inches 38%
Weight: 9 lb. 15 oz. 45%
Head Circumference: 38 45%

The poor little guy got his second Hep. B shot today too so he's been sleeping most of the evening. I hope he sleeps well tonight!

AJ also had a "first" today (that was his second doctor appointment). Today, for the first time, he stayed with a baby sitter. He is going to his daycare (an in-home provider who I've kinda known for several years) while I go to class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:45 so he's there about 9:00 to 11:15 two times a week.

Before this I had only left AJ at home, I think twice, for short periods of time with his dad. Today I left him for a little longer, with a stranger. Well, a stranger to him and someone I know but was only slightly acquainted with before now. Good thing I trust him and his wife! Randall is the daycare provider and stay at home dad- his wife works at K-State in IT and sells Creative Memories scrapbooking supplies. I met Randall through his wife and have a least one friend who had brought her kids to Randall's daycare for a while. Anyway, Randall seems like a great guy. I left AJ with him with no reservations. It was a little hard for me, but I was in a hurry so I left quickly. When I got back Randall said AJ had done well. He had a couple dirty diapers, drank his bottle, and slept. He only cried for a short time when he needed to be changed or was hungry. Overall it sounds like AJ did great. Whew! I can now breathe a sigh of relief. That's one first I don't want to worry about again. It's always a little nerve racking to leave a baby for the first time!

On another note: Logan's new favorite saying is "i-yi-yi" (pronounced eye-igh-eye) or however you'd spell that...whenever he's annoyed. He says it A LOT!

Shane's news: he's going on a Klondike Derby campout- camping in freezing temps tomorrow night followed by some special cold activities on Saturday which include packing a sled and mushing it (his friends will be the dogs). Shaun is going too. Fun for him! Logan, AJ, and I will be home and cozy in our beds.

Christmas Photos Part 1

We've been having lots of fun with visiting family and enjoying some wonderful food. Here are a couple pictures taken over the weekend. More to come later this week!


This picture includes my mom, her husband Lester, and my grandma.


I put together some Christmas photos I'd taken of AJ for a Christmas card to be sent out next week (I just got around to making the card and ordering them yesterday). This photo didn't make the cut but it makes us smile so I wanted to share it on my blog.

Little Brother Gets Ready to Meet Big Brothers

Here are a few more pictures from Wednesday and today!


This is how the older boys first saw their brother about an hour after he was born. Very hard moment for me!


Shane


Logan


Flowers from my family and the Provost's office at work lined my wall and were noticed by everyone who stopped by (doctors and nurses)!


Me a couple hours ago with AJ. He's now in his "going home" outfit.


Earlier this afternoon.

Now in his outfit:



Shaun and the boys picked out the outfit a couple weeks ago. They had fun doing so!

We'll be heading home in a couple hours and hopefully we'll take lots more pictures. I'm sure we'll have a busy evening once we get home too!

Just the Facts

Somehow I forgot to add this to the previous post:

Andrew Justus (AJ) Linenberger
Born December 9, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces
and measuring at 20 1/4 inches long

If weighed a few moments before he would have been over eight pounds, however he was given the time to empty his bladder...which took a while!

If there is anything else I'm forgetting feel free to let me know.

Welcoming Baby AJ

Guess what?! I had a baby today! Wahooooooo! And, I did it drug free! Yay me! That or I'm nuts...I haven't figured it out yet.

First...the labor and delivery story:

Yesterday was Shaun, my husband's, birthday. We thought it would be great to have the baby yesterday but that didn't quite happen. My friend, Heather, however did have her baby yesterday! We went out to dinner last night, in a near-blizzard, for Shaun's birthday and then to run a couple errands. The weather doesn't bother us. While it was windy the visibility was fine and it wasn't snowing very hard. The roads were alright too.

Shortly after arriving a Della Voce I started to have contractions. I'd had them very early Sunday morning as well so I wasn't about to get my hopes up, even if it was Shaun's birthday. Well, they were about 4-6 minutes apart for the next two hours and were seeming to be fairly strong. We had my bag in the car but I wasn't sure that this was the "real thing" so we ran a couple errands and then went home to see what happened. After walking on my Gazelle for about 15 minutes I noticed that the contractions had all but subsided. While running the errands and while at home the contractions were only about 10 minutes apart and were not as strong as they had been. I was exhausted so I decided to wait it out and try to sleep. That worked! I was able to get a few hours sleep while the contractions weren't strong and was able to get rested for today. However, I was awakened at 2:25 am with much stronger contractions.

That's when I decided that maybe, just maybe, this was the real thing. I wasn't able to go back to sleep because of the strength of the contractions so I went to the living room and played on my computer (checked email, Facebook, etc.). At around 3:30 I woke Shaun up, told him that my contractions were anywhere from 2-9 minutes apart and growing stronger. I hadn't really paid attention to the exact timing because some of the contractions were pretty weak. I asked Shaun to wake up and come to the living room with me to time my contractions and help me get through the stronger ones. Instead he went back to sleep... go figure! :)

I was able to get to about 5 am without waking my family up but at that point I knew that my contractions were more regular and strengthening. I was also paranoid that they would disappear again. It was time to go! I woke Shaun up again, twice, and woke the boys up. Slowly everyone got up and ready. I was already dressed, packed (cameras and computer and a couple other last minute items), and ready to roll. We left the house about 5:50, after figuring out the workings of the car seat. We hadn't put it in the car and hadn't even figured out how to release the seat from the base until then!

Arriving at the hospital at 5:55 am we came right up to the OB wing and checked in. I was immediately checked internally and found out I'd progressed from dilated to a two at yesterday afternoon's OB appt to dilated to a four at check in this morning with contractions every 3-5 minutes. Wahoooo! Dilated to a four means they consider you to be in active labor. I was so excited! And a bit terrified at the same time. I'd decided to go drug free and keep moving as much as I could. I'd decided this probably months ago and now it was time to see if I could handle it! We called my sister Betsy at 6:30 and she called our family, my boss, and a couple friends for us. We also called a local friend who was able to come watch the boys in the waiting room for us until AJ was born (kids must NOT be left unattended- according to at least five signs in the waiting room). We also called Anne, my friend and doula. Because of the hospital's current policy on visitors due to flu season only Shaun and Anne were allowed to be in the OB unit with me. The boys weren't allowed in and were not even allowed to see their baby brother except through the entrance door windows. That was really hard for me!

Anyway, so while we waited we walked. And walked. And walked. Ok, only three times around the small OB unit but it took a while because of the contractions and we took our time. Anne arrived about the time they needed to monitor me again and Shaun ate his breakfast while I and the baby were monitored. Then Shaun went out and hung out with the boys and his friend who was watching them. Anne and I walked, and walked, and walked (three times again). My contractions were again growing stronger but I was doing quite well. I also sat on the exercise ball a couple times for short periods. At the next check I was dilated to a seven! Wow! It was going fast and I was thrilled. My contractions were now every 4-6 minutes but no one seemed to be concerned since I was still progressing.

It was now time for the hot tub! I knew I wanted to spend some time in the hot tub because I'd done it when in labor with Logan. Again it worked for me. I was having VERY strong contractions and they got more and more frequent to the point where they were not really going away before rising in intensity again. After only 45 minutes I got out (very slowly because of the intense pain) and was checked again. I had quickly progressed to a nine!!! According to the nurse I was "pushy" even though I didn't think I was quite ready to push. She called the doctor and he was there maybe two minutes later. Wow! I guess I was doing this whether I was ready or not!

Here's me in labor when Shaun caught a quick picture...I think it was the only picture of me taken with my camera today! I was having a contraction but caught him!



After MAYBE 20 minutes of pushing (at very most) and after some very intense contractions and tons of pain...AJ was born! I couldn't believe I'd done it! I was soooo tired and weak. If I'd had to go through a longer delivery I don't know what would have happened. I questioned myself about being able to do this a couple times but of course it was too late by then. I was committed and my body knew it. And here he is...freshly delivered.



And here's the very proud daddy...acting all natural about holding his newest baby. He had been worried about having a baby but everything is sooo natural to him this time. I'm amazed!



AJ did also have his first "bath" today at the hospital and there are a few video clips of him right after delivery but I've not figured out how to do video on here since they changed things and I don't want to post them on YouTube so if you want to see them you'll have to visit me. Ha!

It's been a long day and even though the hardest part was done by 10 am I'm still awake and tired so I'm signing off now. Oh- the older boys got to quickly see their brother through the window and are thrilled. They then spent most of the day at our friends' home and then Shaun picked them up late this afternoon. He'll be working tomorrow and they'll be at school so I should get plenty of rest.

Good night! Don't forget to hug and kiss all your babies!

Baby Bellies

These are pictures of my friend Heather and I that we took a couple weeks ago. A couple people have asked to see them. There's a ton more but I only wanted to put a couple online. We're both due December 17th with boys. Her belly is sooo much cuter than mine! Mine is the one with the Mamma War Wounds. :)

Getting Ready for Baby!

The past couple weeks have been very fun! Yes, this means I've been neglecting some of the homework I'm desparately needing to complete...I've been too busy.

A couple weeks ago I hosted a baby shower for my friend Heather. In case I haven't mentioned it enough times-- we're due on the same day, with boys who we're already planning will be best friends. A week or two after Heather's party was my own baby shower given by my friends Toni and Pat and Pat (both Pat Kings). Where has time gone?

This weekend we FINALLY got the baby gifts put away, washed all the newborn clothes, put them all away, painted the metal stars for the wall decor, painted white frames for decorating the opposite wall, and got everything hung. Once everything was put away I even packed my bag for the hospital! I figured it's about time I do that. Overall it was a very productive weekend. However, somehow I'm still feeling overwhelmed at all that I still want to do before baby arrives but I know that if he came today I'd be ready enough to be fine.

I still hope to send thank you notes, wash all the bedding in the upstairs rooms and tidy and dust the downstairs rooms, along with washing that bedding as well. There are other projects I'd like to get to but they'll probably have to wait.

For Thanksgiving we're having the feast at our house. I love to do that! Shaun's parents will come over. They are now planning to bring a ham (and I'm sure a few side dishes as they always do). Shaun is planning to fry a turkey (YUMMY!). I'm planning to make most of my traditional side dishes, using my favorite recipes of course. I'll probably make my cranberry-nut salad, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy (Shaun usually makes the gravy), green bean casserole, my yummy homemade cornbread stuffing, and, uh, whatever else I usually make. I still need to get to the grocery store to buy ingredients for the cranberry-nut salad and the stuffing. I'm pretty sure we have everything else. Oh, and we need more potatoes.

Our friends the Hendrick family will be joining us as well. Michelle plans to make the pies and rolls (I can't wait!). The Kroll family may be joining us but we're not sure yet. I've told my friends that they are welcome to come early and help me make the sides. :) That's the best part of Thanksgiving- cooking together in the kitchen. If I don't die of exhaustion I'm going to LOVE that day. It's always one of my favorite days of the year.

After Thanksgiving I'll be hitting the books again, writing a 40-page paper, finishing a few shorter papers, and giving a presentation (which I've not yet prepared). Fun, Fun. I also have a couple final exams scheduled for next week...I hope to be done with this semester by the end of next week, unless our baby arrives sooner.


Here's a Happy Thanksgiving email I received:

BE SURE TO CLICK ON PUMPKIN PIE
AT THE END.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP.
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -
THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE,
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION
WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.
TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION,
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.
SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR,
AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.
GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.
I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY,
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.
BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES....
HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

"Click" on PUMPKIN PIE


I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving as much as we will. Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Baby Face

Yesterday I had a regular OB appointment and then a sonogram to check the baby's size. I'm about 35 weeks along. The baby's measurements show that he's right in the middle of babies his age and is about where the doctor expected him to be. There's still a chance over the next few weeks that he could get to be a larger baby which we kind of expect. He's currently measuring at 5 lbs 10 oz (I have no idea how they can tell) and doing very well. Above is a picture taken during the quick sonogram. You can see his face so clearly! And yes, he proved to us once again that he's a boy. :)

My Teenage Son!

This is my baby Shane. I think this picture was taken when he was around 3 months old.





This is my baby Shane now-- At 13 years old!





I cannot believe I am now the mother of a teenaged son. It SCARES me sooo much! So far: I haven't killed him. He hasn't killed me. He's a good, sweet-natured kid. He is extremely fun to be around. He's popular with his friends. He has a wonderful heart and cares a lot for others. He's sensitive but strong. He's my hero. Without him I definately would not be me today. I wouldn't be the mother I have become. I wouldn't be so dedicated to my education. I would not be so strong spiritually. I just wouldn't be me. I cannot imagine my life without this boy. Or my other son Logan of course.

Ok. Teary-eyed, I'll admit I'm getting a bit older, but hopefully also wiser. I could not have imagined my son being 13, 13 years ago. It amazes me! I could go on forever about how I feel today, and yesterday his actual birthday. I won't. Just cry and be happy with me. :)

I'm proud of who my son is and the young man he has become. I hope to always feel this way. I can't imagine anything better. I'm also proud of who he has helped me to become. As a young mother I could not picture the life we have today. We are very happy and safe and secure and that's what matters most. Our family matters most.

Baby Stuff

According to my weekly Parents Connect email:

34 weeks email (I'll be 34 weeks this Friday.) "the nursery's almost done. You've stocked up on diapers. You're ready. You're waiting. And waiting. And hopefully, if all goes well, you'll be waiting for another six weeks. So don't drive yourself crazy, use this time to enjoy being alone, with friends and with your partner. Because soon it'll be all about baby and you'll wish you had this downtime back."

1-- Nursery: Yes, it's been started. Shaun has painted it a very pretty midnight blue color which looks great. Yesterday and early this morning he cleaned the carpets. Later today he plans to open the huge box containing the table/dresser/storage thing that we purchased in July. Hopefully then he'll paint another dresser we already had to match. I don't think that will get painted today though. Then we need to bring the crib pieces upstairs and assemble them and clean the crib and changing table really well. After that we need to do baby laundry, organize all the baby's stuff (after my baby shower), and get the room finished. YES, I'm nesting now...

2-- Diapers: Yes, we've bought a HUGE box recently at Sam's. We're all set for a while.

3-- Waiting? NOT! I'm happy to wait a few more weeks. I've got too much school work to do between now and then. At work I'm staying on top of things very well and working on an office manual so that what I do is well documented for however is hired as a temp while I'm off for my 12 weeks of maternity leave (YAY!).
At home we're slowly getting things done such as cleaning and organizing both pantries (last weekend). I have more I would like to do before baby is born but with everything else going on we'll see what more we can get completed. Shaun and I plan to take on projects at home as time allows over the next few weeks. Hopefully getting the house picked up and clean will happen as well. I think a tornado recently hit!

4-- Six weeks. Yeah, um, I doubt it. My boys were both early. Shane was born 2 1/2 weeks early and Logan was one week early. If the baby were to be born at the same time in my pregnancy as Shane was he'll be here in four weeks! Wow, time goes by fast. Since Shane was 7-7 and Logan was 8-5 we're expecting this one to be big if born on his due date. So... the doctor has agreed with me that it would be nice to have him a little early. Who chooses to have a baby over nine pounds if they can help it? NOT ME! If I don't go into labor on my own I will most likely be induced a week or so early. I'm fine with that and am just hoping that we won't need to use Petocin. Yesterday a lady who works down the hall from me said he inductions were simple breaking her water each time. I can handle that! If I go into labor on my own I don't think I'll want them to break my water but we'll see what I think at that point.

5-- Alone? Downtime? What the heck is that? I think I've been on the go for the entire pregnancy and have been busier with my family, work, and school than ever before! I'm looking forward to the "downtime" after the baby is born! :)

Demotivation

Ok, still no pictures from this weekend...We used Shaun's camera and I haven't uploaded the pictures he took of the boys on Halloween. I promise to do so soon...however that also means finding room on my completely filled hard drive. Ouch! I desparately need to get a new, much larger, hard drive. The problem I'm having with that, besides spending the money, is that I'm afraid to take care of installing it myself and I'm terrified that I won't have all the files from this one to put onto the new one. I also need to find my CD for Windows so that I have an operating system and do not need to purchase a new one. UGH!

My most recent photography assignment, due just moments ago, was to create a "demotivational poster." If you have seen motivational posters you can probably guess what this is. De-motivational posters can be found for sale or just for show online. The site my instructor sent us to was despair.com. Check it out and have a few good laughs! The assignment was to create one of our own using a photo we have taken and the photo editing software. As you will see at despair.com, some are really funny, and some are tacky. I chose the more tacky route. I couldn't help myself!

My friend Heather and I are both pregnant and due on the same day, with boys. Since I've already had Shaun and my kids in several of the photos I've turned in I thought it would be fun to have one with Heather and I. What better than a tacky demotivational poster? So, I came up with the idea on Friday and she and Jeff, her husband, agreed to be part of my project. They may regret it... I told them my idea and then yesterday, after the baby shower I did for Heather, we set to work. After several photos we came up with a good one for the composition and I had finally stopped having a laughing fit just long enough to get a good shot. It was truly funny seeing us there posed for this and I couldn't stop laughing.

I hope you like it! Tell me what you think. I wish I'd come up with something funnier for the caption but I ran out of time. You'll get the point.

Due December 17th, Now 33 Weeks

I'm almost there! People seem to think I'm ready to have this baby. I'm not! I have way too much to do between now and then. I have four classes to complete which includes several projects and a couple papers (one being 40ish pages). We also have not done anything else in the baby's room. I'm hoping Shaun gets the paint at least ready this weekend in not the room painted. Logan is "working" with him today and tomorrow so I hinted to him that maybe he and dad could come up with the blue color together. He loved that idea! He's obsessed with anything baby right now and often talks to the baby and rubs my tummy when he gives me hugs.

Signs that I'm getting further along:

Emails from Baby Center describing exactly how I feel each week and reminding me of how many weeks I have left (eek!).

Stretch marks that are slowly stretching further. This causes itchy skin at times!

Worsening heart burn when I forget to take my Prilosec- which I now take twice daily.

The inability to sleep for more than perhaps 30 minutes at a time.

The "need" to now visit both my chiropractor and massage therapist every other week. This seriously helps!

Very near constant lower abdominal pressure (not to worry I've talked to my doctor and this is very common, especially after a couple previous pregnancies). I'm carrying a bit low and GET TO wear a support belt which sometimes helps.

My feet are normally swollen by the end of the work day (nothing new though).

I'm constantly tired now and have caught myself dozing off at odd times. It's sooo hard not to!

I have a baby shower coming up in about two weeks! Wahoo! (Let me know if you want to be invited.)

Oh, and I have no memory of anything whatsoever...

I'm sure I'll think of other signs but these are probably the most prominent.

Upsetting Information Due to the Flu

Ok, I get it. I fully understand. But I don't like it!

The local hospital has a new policy in effect due to the local flu outbreak. When a woman goes to deliver her baby only one support person is allowed to be in the birthing center. Only one person may be there at any time. I'm not sure if you're allowed to switch people. Most importantly, to me, is that NO CHILDREN are allowed in the birthing center at all. That means that even during labor and after delivery my sons will not be able to be there, to be part of our special day. In fact, they will not be able to meet their baby brother until we go home. So, if I still plan to stay two nights, as I'd originally wanted, Logan wouldn't get to meet AJ (or whatever we name him) until he's two or three days old. I'm not sure, but since Shane will be 13 (over 12) he may be able to come in at some point. I'll have to check. But of course that means only I will be there when he meets his brother and his dad won't be allowed since only one person can be there.

ARGH!!!!! This is extremely frustrating to me. I do get it. I really do. BUT this was not what I had planned. Why can't they just get the flu shot and be allowed in? Logan had the shot but since he's under 12 there is no hope of his being allowed in unless the policy changes by then, which may or may not happen, depending on the flu season and the local epidemic. I'm also going to check on the video recording policy. If they won't allow my sons to be there then I'd hope at least we can record it to show to them later.

My plan had been for the boys to be there once I was in active labor (not taking them out of school until we were ready to do so if needed). I wanted them, at least Shane, to be there for as much of the labor as they felt comfortable with. If Shane wanted to stay in the room, but be in a place where he couldn't see quite everything, I would have been fine with that. Logan probably would have been outside of the room for the actual delivery even though I'm sure he'd rather be there for the actual delivery. Sometimes he's too open and curious for his age. :) I don't want to traumatize my kids! I wanted the boys to be there once their brother was born as soon as possible so that this was a family experience. They are even more excited about all this than I am. Now I don't get this choice.

Seriously! I'm very bummed out about this. I'd say I'm pretty much in mourning. What I was planning and hoping for will not happen. This was a BIG part of my labor, delivery, and postpartum plans. And now, it's gone. Just like that. No longer will I be able to have my children attend the birth (or at least pre and post delivery). No longer will this be a family experience. I'm quite sad.

Of course not everything can be planned. I did not plan to have my baby during flu season, and definately not during a flu pandemic. I am trying to plan what I do have control over and this part slipped through the cracks. I know no matter how well you plan something like this it won't happen exactly as planned. But still. All I can do now is to pray that we all stay healthy and safe and that this flu pandemic is over by then and that the hospital relaxes or eliminates this policy by the time our baby is born. I can hope and pray. It's all I have.

If the policy doesn't change...I'm considering driving to Topeka (if they don't change their policy on visitors) to deliver in either the hospital or birthing center there. I might also consider a home birth which until now has worried me too much because of possible complications. Maybe I'll labor as long as possible at home and then go to the hospital (five minutes away from home) at the last possible minute and then check myself and the baby out as soon as we are allowed to do so. That seems most likely unless something changes.

You may comment on this as long as you comment on my side of things...I do fully understand the other side and do not want a lecture! Thank you.

One last thought. What happens if a pregnant woman with the flu goes into labor? Hmmm. Bet she'd be allowed in! They've already not allowed at least one support person in (the baby's father due to a fever) since this policy was implemented.

3D Sono Pics

One of the little guy's feet is by his face. He was even holding it for a few moments. I don't know how that could be comfortable. According to the sono tech he still has room to move it back beside his other one. I sure hope he does! If not that could make some serious discomfort to both of us during delivery.



If this will eventually upload... I chose to upload this part of the 20 minute video because it shows the funniest parts. Other parts of the 20 minutes were more focused on the face, which of course you'll see, but this one also has his heartbeat, both 2D and 3D video pieces, the sono tech "bouncing" him around to get him moving, and his moving enough that she can't get a good shot a few times. If it uploads it's worth watching. I'm glad we did this because it showed the boys how "real" the baby is. It is definitely amazing that our technology allows this now. I have heard that there is even newer technology that gives better images. This one was expensive enough. We won't be seeking out any newer sono machines!

(The video had all night to upload but still didn't work. I'll try something different later.)

The Beat of a Heart

Last night was my first "doctor" appointment for this pregnancy. Apparently at this office, you only get to see the doctor for a few of the appointments. My next one, in a month, is with a nurse practitioner, for a "belly check." Makes me feel like a number once again...

So last night my mom and I went to my appointment. She and her husband are visiting for a week while on their two-month motorcycle trip this summer. It was fun to have my mom at the appointment and even more fun to see her face when the doctor found the baby's heart beat. It was going at a steady 155 beats per minute, nice and healthy. This was the reason my mom came with me for this appointment, just to hear the heart beat. It was also my first time with this one so it was exciting for us both. Once the doctor had the heart beat located I looked at my mom and she was gleaming-I thought she was going to cry so I quickly looked away so that I wouldn't cry myself. Later she said it brought back memories of hearing her babies' heart beats for the first time. Ahhhh! Great moment.

One More Link

I had to add this...15 Pregnancy Symptoms You Didn't Expect (Or Wouldn't Have Believed Anyway) I felt that perhaps they weren't all appropriate for me to list here, and besides, the comments are often better than the lists!